Within a year of formation, the group charmed indie music enthusiasts across the blogosphere with their languid songcraft, while the eerie warmth of "Apple Orchard" landed on Pitchfork's Infinite Mixtape MP3 series in August 2006. Two months later, Beach House issued their eponymous debut album for Carpark. Fall shows with labelmates Over the Atlantic were also scheduled.
Victoria can also be heard on Frenemies' Birds in High School album. She and Chris Freeland created harmonies on the song "Waiting for the Ambulance". Victoria can also be heard on Grizzly Bear's 2009 release Veckatimest and she sings on "Slow Life", a Grizzly Bear track featured on the official soundtrack for Twilight: New Moon.
In September of 2009 Sub Pop Records announced that Beach House had signed and that a follow up album to 2008's Devotion, Teen Dream would be released in early 2010.
Apple Orchard
Beach House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You only give me what you don't want no more
Ask the questions that you don't know at all
Let's lie down for a while
You can't smile
Lay your head in the old
You know how it is my friend
In the boxes of those picture frames
Hold your insides 'cause you're cold at night
Warm your heart, love, 'cause you're by my side
Let's lie down for a while
You can't smile
Lay your head in the old
Old fashion
Lay your head in the apple orchard
Take your time, you can settle down
Hold your breath
'Cause you're good at nothing
Hold your head only
For a while
The lyrics to Beach House's "Apple Orchard" speak to the themes of intimacy, nostalgia, and the fleeting nature of relationships. The repetitive, almost mantra-like opening line of "You only give me what you don't want no more" speaks to a relationship where one person is holding back or giving up on trying to make things work. This is further emphasized by the following line, "Ask the questions that you don't know at all," suggesting that communication and understanding may be lacking in the relationship.
The chorus, which repeats "Let's lie down for a while / You can't smile / Lay your head in the old / Old fashion," creates a sense of comfort and familiarity. The imagery of lying down and resting one's head in an "old fashion" suggests a yearning for a simpler, more traditional kind of love. The use of the word "old" in both the chorus and the verse further emphasize this longing for a time past.
The second verse introduces the concept of memory and the past. The line "You know how it is my friend / In the boxes of those picture frames" speaks to the idea of looking back at old photos and memories as a way to feel connected to the past. The final lines of the song, "Hold your breath / 'Cause you're good at nothing / Hold your head only / For a while," further emphasize the fleeting nature of relationships and suggest that even when we feel like we are good at nothing, we must hold on and cherish the moments we have.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three, four
The song begins with a simple counting that sets the pace for what's to come.
You only give me what you don't want no more
The singer feels that their partner only offers what they no longer want, which implies that they are not giving their all to the relationship.
Ask the questions that you don't know at all
It is essential to ask questions, even if you don't know the answers, because doing so leads to knowledge and understanding.
Let's lie down for a while
The artist suggests taking a break from life by lying down for a bit of comfort and rest.
You can't smile
Perhaps the partner is sad or distressed, unable to smile even in moments of happiness and relaxation.
Lay your head in the old
The singer invites their partner to lay their head in a traditional or nostalgic place, which could signify the past or familiar memories.
Old fashion
The singer refers to an old-school or traditional style in which an object or activity is done.
You know how it is my friend
The artist acknowledges a close bond with their partner, claiming that they know each other well.
In the boxes of those picture frames
The artist refers to the memories stored in picture frames, which remind them both of a bygone era.
Hold your insides 'cause you're cold at night
The partner may be feeling anxious or afraid, and thus the artist tells them to hold their insides (tighten them), perhaps to feel more secure and less alone in the cold of the night.
Warm your heart, love, 'cause you're by my side
The singer tells their partner to warm their heart with love, as they are by their side and everything will be all right.
Lay your head in the apple orchard
The apple orchard could be a metaphor for a peaceful and nurturing environment where the artist asks their partner to rest and find serenity.
Take your time, you can settle down
The singer encourages their partner to take their time and settle down, perhaps to let go of stress, worries, or unnecessary haste.
Hold your breath
The singer seems to ask their partner to hold their breath, maybe as a metaphor of how they need to pause everything and be mindful of the present moment.
'Cause you're good at nothing
The previous line is qualified by this one, explaining that holding one's breath is an acknowledgment that, in some sense, one is inadequate or incapable, but that's not a bad thing.
Hold your head only
The artist now advises their partner to hold their head high, perhaps as a sign of dignity or self-respect, even if they may be going through a tough time.
For a while
The song ends with a repetition of the previous line, which could suggest that holding one's head high is an attitude or state of mind that can be maintained for a while, and that we should continue striving for it despite the difficulties of life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Alex Kristian Scally, Victoria Garance Alixe Legrand
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bernardorodriguezcastro8141
Lyrics:
1, 2, 3, 4
You only give me what you don't want no more
Ask the questions that you don't know at all
Let's lie down for awhile
You can smile
Lay your head in the old
Old fashion
You know how it is my friend
In the boxes of those picture frames
Hold your inside 'cause you're cold at night
Warm your heart, love, 'cause you're by my side
Let's lie down for awhile
You can smile
Lay your head in the old
Old fashion
Lay your head on the
Apple orchard
Take your time
You can settle down
Hold your breath
'Cause you're, you're in love with
Hold your head only
Hold it well
@verygrayshark2155
1, 2, 3, 4
You only give me what you don't want no more
Ask the questions that you don't know at all
Let's lie down for awhile
You can smile
Lay your head in the old
Old fashion
You know how it is my friend
In the boxes of those picture frames
Hold your inside 'cause you're cold at night
Warm your heart, love, 'cause you're by my side
Let's lie down for awhile
You can smile
Lay your head in the old
Old fashion
Lay your head on the
Apple orchard
Take your time
You can settle down
Hold your breath
'Cause you're, you're in love with
Hold your head only
Hold it well
@hevermiranda9871
I'm seriously so thankful for this band. Their music has affected me so deeply and it's been with me for years now. I finally saw them for the very first time live in San Diego last night and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had, it was definitely a bucket list item. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for everything Beach House.
@bernardorodriguezcastro8141
Lyrics:
1, 2, 3, 4
You only give me what you don't want no more
Ask the questions that you don't know at all
Let's lie down for awhile
You can smile
Lay your head in the old
Old fashion
You know how it is my friend
In the boxes of those picture frames
Hold your inside 'cause you're cold at night
Warm your heart, love, 'cause you're by my side
Let's lie down for awhile
You can smile
Lay your head in the old
Old fashion
Lay your head on the
Apple orchard
Take your time
You can settle down
Hold your breath
'Cause you're, you're in love with
Hold your head only
Hold it well
@aggserp4340
Thanks
@jartstopsign
All these years later and I still can't get over how goddamn beautiful this is
@starryeyedtarot8876
+jartstopsign Same here. I'm buying a $100 ticket to see them on Saturday (I missed the pre-sale that sold out back in April) and I've seen them 16 times in 4 different states since 2006, lol....I will always love Beach House. Hands DOWN-- my favourite band. "Bloom" and "Depression Cherry" didn't really do it for me, but I've fallen in love all over again with "Thank Your Lucky Stars."
@qounqer
a true classic/ hell is alive and i am drunk on cheap expensive scotch
@bathorymk
the same happen to me.
@guernica69
That hauntingly sweet little melody starting at 2:27 gets me every time
@Paperbagman555
‘Let’s lie down for a while, you can’t smile. Lay your head in the old, old fashioned’ - one of their most beautiful hooks. Victoria’s singing on this track is so emotive
@verygrayshark2155
Their most beautiful, underrated song